What Do Others See In You?

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

-Titus 2:11-14 (King James Version)

Did you know that, once you've given your life to Jesus, you must walk differently than the rest of the world? It's true, and that is what Paul was writing about in these verses.

He writes in verse 11, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." In last weeks Talkin' Scripture broadcast, we talked about that word "grace," we talked about it's meaning. Grace is simply the favor of God upon those who don't deserve it. This favor is given through one person, Jesus Christ. It's through Him, and Him alone, that salvation is available to all men. It's through His blood shed on the cross that salvation, the opportunity to be forgiven for my sins, is made available. 

Verse 12 says, "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." After salvation, we must live differently than we did before. We must not walk after worldly lusts and ungodliness. Those are a characteristic of our old lives. We must deny that lifestyle. We must live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Notice, we must continue to live in this world, but we must do so differently than before. 

Why? Verse 14 says, "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Because Jesus gave Himself for us. He cleanses us from all sin, and is raising to Himself a peculiar people. People who chase after the things of God, not after the things of this world. 

What do others see in you? Do you still chase after worldly lusts and ungodliness? Or, do you chase after the things of God?